When you take over-the-counter or prescription drugs for recreational and other non-medical purposes, they can have severe health impacts. The most abused prescription drugs in the US fall into opioids, stimulants, and depressants. Unfortunately, you can develop a dependency on prescription medication, even when you follow your doctor’s directions. If you’re battling an addiction to prescription drugs, contact Atlanta Detox Center today at 844-658-0927.
Are Opioids the Most Abused Prescription Drugs?
Opioids—derivatives of opium—are the standard prescription medication that doctors use for easing chronic pain. Opioids work by relaxing your body to alleviate pain, but they are highly addictive. Those who abuse opioids alter the administration method by taking the doses through injections or snorting to strengthen the effects.
Statistics reveal that many people on prescribed opioids misuse them, and may develop an addiction and may need help from an opioid addiction treatment program. Furthermore, some people who abuse prescription opioids later on shift to heroin. In fact, a vast majority of people who use heroin start with misusing prescription opioids.
Examples of commonly used opioids include:
- Morphine (such as Roxanol and Duramorph)
- Fentanyl and analogs (such as Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze)
- Methadone (such as Methadose and Dolophine)
- Codeine (such as Robitussin A-C and Tylenol with codeine)
- Oxycodone HCL (such as OxyContin and Percocet)
- Meperidine (such as Demerol)
- Hydrocodone Bi-tartrate Hydromorphone (such as Dilaudid)
Prescription Stimulants
Doctors often prescribe stimulants to increase energy, alertness, and attention. The drugs can treat obesity, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), insomnia, and narcolepsy. Other types of individual therapy programs incorporate the medication to amplify antidepressants.
Initially, doctors commonly prescribed stimulants to treat many medical conditions. Recently, there has been a significant limitation on their use; it came after the discovery that stimulants are also among the most abused prescription drugs, notwithstanding their severe side effects. The doctors that commonly prescribe stimulants often prescribe methylphenidate (such as Concerta and Ritalin) and amphetamines (such as Dexedrine, Biphetamine, and Adderall).
Typically, the side effects of stimulants mainly include digestive problems, increased heart rate, increased or decreased blood pressure levels, weight loss, and loss of appetite.
Other less common effects include tremor, restlessness, panic, paranoia, rapid breathing, irritability, aggressiveness, and hallucinations.
Central Nervous System (CNS) Depressants
CNS depressants are medications that depress your brain activity by intensifying the activity of GABA—gamma-aminobutyric acid. Doctors prescribe it to treat depression, anxiety, panic disorders, insomnia, tension, and stress. CNS depressant drugs include tranquilizers, sedatives, and hypnotics.
Examples of depressants include benzodiazepines (such as Valium, Ativan, Xanax, and Klonopin), Barbiturates (such as Nembutal, Amytal, and Luminal), and non-benzodiazepine sedative-hypnotics drugs (such as Ambien and Lunesta).
Adverse effects of CNS depressants include drowsiness, slurred speech, lethargy, poor concentration, confusion, lightheadedness, impaired coordination, slow pulse, and low blood pressure. An overdose of antidepressants can result in respiratory failure, unconsciousness, and death. Be sure to seek help from a drug and alcohol detox center if you are struggling with these effects.
Seek Help at Atlanta Detox Center Today
Substance use disorders pose a considerable challenge that affects the entire world. When left untreated, prescription drug abuse deteriorates into severe mental, social, and economic problems. Many studies have shown a correlation between addiction and a myriad of social evils, including road carnage, teenage pregnancy, family breakups, and child abuse.
Fortunately, addiction is treatable at a rehab center. Some ideal treatment program for substance use disorders include:
- Alcohol detox center program
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy program (CBT)
- Drug addiction treatment program
- Dialectical behavior therapy program (DBT)
- Group therapy program
- Heroin addiction treatment program
- Alumni program in Atlanta
If you are addicted to one of the most abused prescription drugs, it is vital to seek professional help. At the Atlanta Detox Center, our mental health experts can help you recover from your addiction to live a healthy life. Contact Atlanta Detox Center at 844-658-0927 to schedule an appointment.
